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30 Days on Keto & Gained a Pound

7K views 40 replies 6 participants last post by  Nemo 
#1 ·
I started on the Keto WOE the end of July. I haven't used any ketone strips. But that may be my next step.

As the title says after 30 days I gained a pound. Boy, am I frustrated.
I'm on the Keto forum and I think they've given up on me.
So I'm thinking maybe my non-weight loss is due to Type 2.

Last summer I didn't know about Keto and lost only 10 lbs. in 3 months. Back then I didn't think much about it but I did think, Wow, only 10 lbs. Was eating mostly salads worth it?

I use Trulicity (.75mg) once a week and 1500mg of Metformin per day.
I just had blood work done last week and I'll have 1 and a half months of eating Keto in my blood. I haven't received the results yet.

Now, my question- Why aren't I losing weight? And what can I do to lose weight?

The Keto forum says, "Hang in there, your body is fighting it."

I don't know how much the Keto forum people know about Type 2 diabetes, and although they are great people, I think you guys will have the answer.
I will do whatever it takes to get off of my medication for diabetes. Being healthy is my goal.
Thank you so much for reading this and your help.
 
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#2 ·
Can you tell us how many grams of carbs, protein, and fat you are eating on your keto diet vs prior? How active are you? How much has your BG changed since starting keto? How much has your insulin usage changed since starting keto?

Not only does insulin help with taking care of getting glucose out of the blood and into cells, it also helps store fat and stop fat burning.
 
#3 ·
Thank you for replying!
I'm using Total Keto app.
I have it set or 1473 calories per day.
Fat:114g, Protein 92 gram and carbs at 20 gram per day.

On the average 11 grams carbs, 42 grams protein and 90 grams fat= 1038 calories.
Some days I have gone over by 300 calories, 38 grams of fat and 1 gram over of protein.

I am 5'4" and weigh 220. I'm not active at all other than walking around at work or mowing the grass.
I don't know my insulin usage. How do I find that out?
I don't check my BG a lot (because when I don't eat right I know it'll be high)but when I do 2 hours after eating the Keto way it's from 120-140.
I will get on the stick right now and begin checking my BG like I should be.
 
#4 ·
I do 2 hours after eating the Keto way it's from 120-140. .
That 140 is a bit high for staying in ketosis. And if the 140 is at 2hrs pp then the 1hr is going to be higher than that.

I think that if you are diligent with testing 1hr and 2hr, for several days, you'll have a good idea where you stand and may find that you need to keep your carb consumption down a bit lower.

My understanding of Trulicity is that it stimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin. Which may be making weight loss more difficult for you, and if you do lower carbs, you'll need to keep a close eye on your BG so you don't go hypo.
 
#5 ·
I agree the 140 is too high. I have a doctors appt. next week and I'll talk to her about all this. In the meantime- I just took my BG 3 hours after eating and it is 155.
I also think I'm experiencing the Dawn Effect as when I wake up at 5 am and take my BG it's 214!
 
#8 ·
It just amazes me that I can almost starve for days and still not lose any weight.
The great thing about LCHF and Keto is that one doesn't have to eat so little that one feels hungry all the time. Eat plenty of fat, eat when you're hungry (and don't eat when you're not).
 
#11 ·
What does that even mean, "gained a pound"?

I gain (lose) more than that every single day. I can gain pound just by drinking a large glass of water. That's just margin of error.
 
#12 ·
I'm back.:sad2:
To answer your question about IF, yes. I lost nothing. No weight, no inches.
On LCHF I do feel a lot better. That's why I stay on it.
I'm going to be 64. I am struggling!

Three months ago I had lab work done. My A1C was 11.6 (if I remember right.) I thought to myself, What??? It can't be as I've been eating mostly LCHF. I say "mostly" because I did have some sugary things at times but am always right back on LCHF.

Last week I had lab work done. She called me today and said it was 11. something...don't remember. I have an appointment at 3pm to see what in the world is going on.

Three months ago I asked my NP if Trulicity could be why I can't seem to lose weight. She said No. I asked her if I could take something else instead of Trulicity. She said there's not much out there.
I had been taking Farxiga until it kept giving me yeast infections which is something it does after you've been taking it for awhile.

Also I have a rash in my armpits that just will not go away. It will get all angry then it subsides, then gets angry. NP said she doesn't know what's causing it.

Today I feel like going in kicking and screaming at her. But I won't.:biggrin:

I read the stuff on Diabetes 101 about Trulicity and others. That's why I want to kick my NP for putting me on that stuff!

I sleep like there's no tomorrow. I took my BG 2 hours after drinking Bullet Proof Coffee and it was 298. *sigh*

What should I do? Find a different NP or doctor? Find a specialist?
Should I stop with the Trulicity?

Please help me because I know you guys can. Thank you SO much.
 
#13 ·
Hi, Nemo. I'm sorry this has been so frustrating for you!

What to do? We're not doctors so I'm reluctant to suggest ditching the Trulicity right now, though that may be what makes sense in the long run. Definitely a question for your NP -- or at least discuss with her what it would take to get you off it (or on something without those side effects).

For right now, I'd start from Square One. I'd be recording everything I ate in a day -- maybe particularly the carbs if tracking the rest is too much -- and make sure I know how "L" low-carb is for me. If possible I would measure my BG for a couple of weeks, when I woke up and a couple of hours after each meal, just to see what food is doing to me. The measurements will eliminate a few unknowns right now.

An a1c of 11 with Met, Trulicity, and eating keto is surprising to me. But maybe you're looking at very low pancreatic function and your body just isn't synthesizing enough insulin at this point and the meds are just outclassed. I'm pretty sure none of that is what you want to hear, but with that a1c, you should change something about your treatment because it does not seem to be doing the job. I wish you luck with your appointment. Please let us know what they say. If they say "stay the course", I'd look for a different doctor; this one doesn't seem to be able to work with you in addressing the situation.
 
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#16 ·
Tresiba is a long-lasting basal insulin. I know several here believe that insulin is a better bet for diabetics than some of the other "wonder drugs" because it's what the body would supply in the absence of diabetes. Here's the Wikipedia entry for it; good starting point IMHO.
 
#17 ·
Thank you.
I began Tresiba the evening of 5/28/19.
As soon as I got up the morning of 5/29 my BG was 341.:sad2:
At 9pm I took it and it was 291.
The morning of 5/30 it was 367 :sad2:

My NP told me to call her Friday morning and tell her my readings. She wants it <130.

The only food that I shouldn't have eaten in the last few days was 2 hot dog buns.

Last night I ate lettuce, ranch dressing and a cooked chicken thigh. I don't get why it'd be so high the next morning.
 
#18 ·
Well, as a longer-acting insulin, Tresiba will not be as reactive to post-meal blood-glucose surges. Kind of like the difference between a track sprinter and a miler; built for different things. It also may take some time for a level of Tresiba to build up in your body (admittedly winging it here; others here certainly know more about this than me but building up drug or supplement levels over days is not an unknown concept).

I can see what your NP is trying to do, but it sounds like you need more than the dose of Tresiba you're getting. Did the NP keep you on the metformin as well? Did she discuss possible next steps if the Tresiba does not get you down to under 130? Might be worth asking her about your treatment plan and how long she will wait on getting you to "normal" BG levels. Your next step, I think, is seeing an endocrinologist. You may need more knowledge and help right now than your NP can provide. Does your medical health coverage allow you to self-refer to an endocrinologist?
 
#19 ·
Hi Nemo. If you have been eating very low carb since your first post last year in this thread and your BG is still heading south, maybe you need to ask the NP if there is a possibility you may be Type 1 LADA and not a Type 2. There are lab tests that can be run to determine that. It is not all that rare that some LADAs were initially misdiagnosed as Type 2.
 
#20 ·
Thank you both.
Yes, I'm still on 1500 mg of Metformin per day. Two pills in the morning and one in the evening.
My NP did say maybe I need to see an endocrinologist.
I haven't looked into whether insurance will pay for it or not.
Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.
I really do appreciate your help.:smile2:
 
#21 ·
My fasting BG average this week is 356. That's taking 3 shots of 10mg of Tresiba for 3 days.
I told my NP my readings and she told me to go up 2mg on the insulin for 2 days, meaning take 12 mg for 2 days, then 14 mg for 2 days then give her a call.
She did tell me we're starting out slow. So at least I know a little more of what she's doing and I can see whether this is helping.
Thanks again.
 
#22 ·
Just an update...
Since starting with 10 units per day and raising my units by 2 every 2 days I'm up to 20 units per day raising it to 22 with this evenings shot.
My BG hasn't changed too much in the last 2 weeks since I started on insulin.
My BG averaged 343 the first week.
It averaged 358 last week.
I'm to call my NP with the readings again this Wednesday.
I take my insulin each night around 8pm.

When you look at my numbers and what I'm doing- what do you see?

I just have to say- growing up when I'd hear that someone was a diabetic and has to give themselves a shot every single day I was like...Wow, EVERY day???
I don't know how big the needles were in the olden days but I was amazed at how small the needle is now and how little it hurts.
Thank you :biggrin:
 
#23 ·
When you look at my numbers and what I'm doing- what do you see?
I see someone who needs to see a medical doctor and a diabetes specialist. You probably need bolus insulin for your meals. It doesn't appear that basal insulin is enough.
 
#24 ·
Bolus & Basal. Who knew? I read a little about both on the internet. I still don't fully understand. Something new to research more.
I just bought a 90 day supply of this stuff. Thank you so much for helping me. I may end up doing s you say and going to a specialist.
 
#25 ·
Basal insulin, what you are presently on, is a slow-acting insulin. It is the insulin needed for basic needs that happen all the time. Think of it as background insulin.

Bolus is a fast-acting insulin that covers meals. You eat, take a bolus to cover the carbs, it does its job right away, and it's over. It'll keep you from having high BG after a meal.

The non-diabetic body takes care of these two insulin needs automatically, secreting small amounts throughout the day for basic needs, and a boost for meals. The diabetic needs to manage this "manually".

Definitely a learning curve to it all. A good online resource is Dr. Bernstein's website. Much of his book is on his website
Read Online - Diabetes Solution - Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. Official Web Site
 
#26 ·
Friday I went to an Endocrinologist.
She is not in favor of Keto.:sad2:
I told her I'm not a strict Keto person but am doing LCHF.
She asked, "Why?"
I said, "Because I feel overall good when I don't eat grains, pasta and rice."
She said, "Hmmm."
She looked at my high readings and just shook her head as my other NP wasn't on top of things.

Here's my medications now:
Tresiba- 35 units for 2 days, then up it to 40 units for 2 days then call her. I was on 24 units and upping it every 2 days.
Jardiance- 10mg.
Trulicity- .75 mg for 2 weeks then up it to 1.5 mg and continue at that dose. This is the one my old NP put me on and in 2 years it didn't do anything so she took me off.
Metformin- from 500 mg per day to 2000 mg per day (2 in morn and 2 at night.)
Walk for 30 minutes, stay hydrated,.
BP is high at 154/90. She told me not to eat salt.

She told me I can eat bread, pasta whatever you want but it has to be in moderation. I just said, Okay. :sad2:

Today is Sunday. After 2 days of higher insulin my angry red rash in my armpits is gone!
I had what the old NP called Psoriasis in my ears- now that's gone!

My wake up BG reading on 6/14 was 379.
The next day it was 218. And this morning it was 227.

What do you think?
I am so excited as I want to get healthy, then lose weight, then get off the meds!:laugh2:
 
#27 ·
I think you're finally working with a health care professional who is addressing your blood glucose issue -- good! Your BG is trending in the right direction.

If this were me, I'd work first on stabilizing my BG numbers. Morning fasting numbers are almost always the last to go down, so I still would keep monitoring my pre- and post-meal BG. You should see a difference in those over the coming weeks.

Keep in mind that the dosages you're taking expect you to be eating a certain amount of carbohydrates each day, so be mindful of reducing the amount of carbs and know that you eventually will need to lower some of the dosages of the meds. You should do that with your doctor, though. Having a record of your BG readings will make it easier for your doctor to see how your BG is improving and how far back he/she might pull back the dosages.

Good luck!
 
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#29 ·
Update

My waking BG was 130 this morning! The Endocrinologist wants it to be 120.
AND since the last time I weighed I've lost 5 lbs.
I hope this isn't a fluke.
I feel great except my vision has gotten worse.
My body is so jacked up. I think it's confused of what to do with the high BG all the time.
Finally, I'm hoping to get better.
Thank you everyone!
 
#31 ·
Update:
I've worked up to 64 units of Tresiba every night. My waking BG has been <120 for the last 3 mornings. During the day I have been staying close to or under 100.
Sometimes I check my BG an hour after I eat and if I eat HCLF my readings are close to or under 100.
I ate a sandwich the other day with 2 pieces of bread and it really showed in the readings. :surprise: I didn't know bread was so evil! :devil:
I have an appointment with my Endocrinologist on Friday. My friend gave me a Blood pressure monitor to use as she no longer uses it. My BP has gone down from 154/90 to 124/78.
The 5 lbs. I lost came back so I'm back to 0 weight lost.
I walk a few times a week.
I feel really good and a lot of energy. Just no weight loss.
 
#34 ·
Yesterday I saw the Endocrinologist. I was up to 64 units of Tresiba per day. She said taking that much I'll never lose weight.
She told me to do 60 units a day and to start counting calories and have 1200-1300 per day. Is she hinting to me that LCHF doesn't help you lose weight?
And to exercise most days.

I kept good records showing that my BG was going down.
My BG is <120 upon waking and stayed around 100 the rest of the time. That's at 64 units per day.

What threw me is she also told me to stop checking my BG so much. She had initially told me to check it upon waking and pre-meals and at bedtime. She says to check it maybe 3 days a week before each meal.

On my last visit she said "moderation" is the key.
So today I told her moderation doesn't work for me because I had a sandwich and my BG shot up because of the bread.
She said You may have to try different breads. An English muffin will be better for you.

Is she correct in what she's telling me?
Why can't I lose weight? There is some kind of huge blockage there somewhere.
I trust you all and depend on your knowledge in this.
Thank you very much for helping me.
 
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